Shutting down Mt. Everest

China just sprung a huge surprise on the mountaineering expeditions from around the world set to climb Mount Everest during this spring’s climbing season.

It just shut the mountain down until May 10. No mountaineers are welcome till then, which is virtually too late to make a real attempt on the world’s highest mountain.

The notice came from the Tibet Mountaineering Association, which governs activities on the Tibet side of Mt. Everest, which sits on the border of Tibet and Nepal.

According to the website mounteverest.net, the fiat will probably inconvenience about 1,000 mountaineers in dozens of expeditions, many of which are already en route to Tibet and have money down on porters, yak caravans, hotels and vehicles.

Presumably, the decision is so that Chinese torch bearers can take the Olympic torch up the mountain without disturbance sometime in the next two months.

The notice cites “concern of heavy climbing activities, crowded climbing routes and increasing environmental pressures” for the delay but doesn’t directly mention the Olympic torch.   

Comments

[The Adventurist]

To clear up a slight inaccuracy, China has shut down the North Side of Everest at this point. Not the whole mountain. Teams will still be going to the South--through Nepal--as scheduled, rather than through the Chinese controlled Tibet-

Swing by my site for more info.

Cheers-
Jason Hendricks
The Adventurist

[Tim J]

True, Jason. I should have pointed out that Everest's south face is climbed from Nepal, where there are no restrictions. The mounteverest.net website indicates that the Nepal side base camp will be jammed this year because of the shutdown of Tibet.

[Jake Norton]

Hi Tim,

Great coverage, as always. As Jason points out, it is only the Tibetan (North - Chinese) side of Everest which is closed. However, as noted on my blog and elsewhere, the Chinese government is putting significant pressure on the Nepali authorities to either shut down or delay ascents on the Nepal side until the Chinese "scheduled" summit day of May 10. Given the fact that Nepal relies heavily on trade with China to keep its struggling economy going, this becomes more than a mere suggestion by China to Nepal.

And, as often pointed out, the closure of the North and suggestion of closure of the South until after May 10 presents far more than simply a scheduling issue. The weather window on Everest is notoriously small, and to maximize it climbers must spend weeks acclimating to high altitude. With the short window offered by the Chinese policy, climbers who are determined to go for it will e forced to rush their schedules and put their lives - and the lives of others - in jeopardy.

Not a good situation from any perspective.

Thanks,

Jake Norton
MountainWorld Productions
www.mountainworldproductions.com
http://mountainworld.typepad.com

[nanheyangrouchuan]

China is that festering bed sore on the world's backside.

[chinese buddhist]

Festering sores somewhere? Nanheyrouchan would be the MAGGOT in festering sores ANYWHERE. Ugh. When he further pupates etc., I guess we shall be treated to the sight of a BLUEBOTTLE in all its glory: "Lord of the Flies".

[nanheyangrouchuan]

I am that festering bed sore on the human race's backside.

[chinese buddhist]

Agreed! Nanheyrouchan has now accurately described himself as a "festering sore". Guess no more need be said.